Last time I watched this film, I was a school kid and watched it on a black and white television. So it was more the grey balloon. Now many years later I got the opportunity to watch it in high definition. It certainly rekindled memories of my younger days and the film certainly retains it charms, in fact its power and influence has grown.
Having visited Paris many times, it seems rather eerie to see the Paris of yesteryear, much of which no longer exists with very few recognizable picture postcard scenes of the city. The film is simple, charming but with a technical brilliance as the filmmakers used thin wires to control the balloon.
The plot involves a young boy who finds a bright red balloon and it simply starts to follow him everywhere with seemingly sentient abilities. Soon other kids want to take it away from him and even destroy it. The film has little dialogue and a good use of music and colour.
The film might be deemed to be a parable, the importance of friendship and might also have religious overtones. The boy, who happens to be the director's son is charming. This short film deserves its reputation and all the awards it won.
Having visited Paris many times, it seems rather eerie to see the Paris of yesteryear, much of which no longer exists with very few recognizable picture postcard scenes of the city. The film is simple, charming but with a technical brilliance as the filmmakers used thin wires to control the balloon.
The plot involves a young boy who finds a bright red balloon and it simply starts to follow him everywhere with seemingly sentient abilities. Soon other kids want to take it away from him and even destroy it. The film has little dialogue and a good use of music and colour.
The film might be deemed to be a parable, the importance of friendship and might also have religious overtones. The boy, who happens to be the director's son is charming. This short film deserves its reputation and all the awards it won.